Amendment of Class B Airspace Description; Houston, TX, 14909-14911 [2013-04891]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
adhering hulls or defective shells are
determined by count, using an adequate
portion of the total sample. Finally, the
nuts in that portion of the sample are
cracked and the percentage having
internal defects is determined on the
basis of weight.
Dated: February 28, 2013.
David R. Shipman,
Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–05436 Filed 3–7–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Marketing Service
7 CFR Part 1230
[Doc. No. AMS–LS–07–0143]
Pork Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Program;
Section 610 Review
Agricultural Marketing Service,
USDA.
ACTION: Confirmation of regulations.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This document summarizes
the results of an Agricultural Marketing
Service (AMS) review of the Pork
Promotion, Research, and Consumer
Information Program (Program),
commonly known as the Pork Checkoff
Program, under the criteria contained in
section 610 of the Regulatory Flexibility
Act (RFA). Based upon this review,
AMS concluded that there is a
continued need for the Pork Promotion,
Research, and Consumer Information
Order (Order). Copies of the review
performed by AMS are available to
interested parties.
DATES: Effective March 8, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Interested persons may
obtain a copy of the review. Requests for
copies should be sent to Kenneth R.
Payne, Director, Marketing Programs
Division, Livestock and Seed Program,
AMS, USDA, Room 2628–S, STOP 0251,
1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250–0251 or email
Kenneth.Payne@ams.usda.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Kenneth R. Payne, Director, Marketing
Programs Division, Livestock and Seed
Program, AMS, USDA, Room 2628–S,
STOP 0251, 1400 Independence Avenue
SW, Washington, DC 20250–0251 or
email Kenneth.Payne@ams.usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Order
(7 CFR Part 1230) is authorized under
the Pork Promotion, Research, and
Consumer Information Act of 1985 (Act)
(7 U.S.C. 4801–4819). As part of a
comprehensive strategy to strengthen
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:06 Mar 07, 2013
Jkt 229001
the pork industry’s position in the
marketplace, this national pork Program
maintains and expands existing
domestic and foreign markets and
develops new markets for pork and pork
products. The Program is funded by a
mandatory assessment of $0.40 perhundred-dollars of market value. Nearly
all producers, with few exceptions,
owning and marketing swine, regardless
of the size of their operation or the value
of their swine, must pay the assessment.
A comparable assessment is collected
on all imported swine, pork, and pork
products. Assessments collected under
this Program are used for promotion,
research, consumer information, and
industry information.
The Program is administered by the
National Pork Board (Board), which is
composed of 15 producer members.
Board members serve 3-year terms, but
no individual may serve more than two
consecutive 3-year terms. Producer
members are selected by the National
Pork Producers Delegate Body, a group
of producer and importer members that
represent all 50 States and importers.
The Program became effective on
September 5, 1986, when the Order was
issued. Assessments began on
November 1, 1986.
On February 18, 1999, AMS
published in the Federal Register (64
FR 8014) its plan to review certain
regulations. On January 4, 2002, AMS
published in the Federal Register (67
FR 525) an update to its plan to review
regulations, including the Pork
Promotion and Research Program,
which is conducted under the Order,
under criteria contained in section 610
of the RFA (5 USC 601–612). Additional
updates were provided on August 14,
2003, in the Federal Register (68 FR
48575) and on March 24, 2006, in the
Federal Register (71 FR 14827). Because
many AMS regulations impact small
entities, AMS decided, as a matter of
policy, certain regulations warranted
review, although they may not meet the
threshold requirement under section
610 of the RFA.
The reviews are being conducted over
a ten-year period under section 610 of
the RFA. The Program was reviewed for
the purpose of determining whether it
should be continued without change, or
should be amended, rescinded, or
terminated (consistent with the
objectives of applicable statutes) to
minimize the impacts on small entities.
AMS published a notice for review
and request for written comments on the
Order in the March 27, 2008, issue of
the Federal Register (73 FR 16218).
Comments were due May 27, 2008.
USDA received one comment generally
opposing the Program, which did not
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Frm 00003
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
14909
specifically address the criteria
provided under section 610 of the RFA.
The review was undertaken to
determine whether the Order should be
continued without change, amended, or
rescinded (consistent with the
objectives of the Act) to minimize the
impacts on small entities. In conducting
this review and using the guidance set
forth in section 610 of the RFA, AMS
considered the following factors: (1) The
continued need for the Order; (2) the
nature of complaints or comments
received from the public concerning the
Order; (3) the complexity of the Order;
(4) the extent to which the Order
overlaps, duplicates, or conflicts with
other Federal rules, and, to the extent
feasible, with State and local
governmental rules; and (5) the length of
time since the Order has been evaluated
or the degree to which technology,
economic conditions or other factors
have changed in the area affected by the
Order.
Based upon this review, AMS has
concluded that there is continued need
for the Order. AMS plans to continue
working with the pork industry in
maintaining an effective program.
Interested parties may request a copy of
the review by AMS as set forth in this
Confirmation of Regulations.
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 4801–4819.
Dated: February 28, 2013.
David R. Shipman,
Acting Administrator, Agricultural Marketing
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–05432 Filed 3–7–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–02–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2013–0079; Airspace
Docket No. 13–AWA–1]
RIN 2120–AA66
Amendment of Class B Airspace
Description; Houston, TX
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical
amendment.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This action amends the
description of the Houston, TX, Class B
airspace area by changing the airport
reference for describing the William P.
Hobby Airport in the Class B airspace
header from ‘‘Secondary Airport’’ to
‘‘Primary Airport.’’ This change is
editorial only and does not alter the
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
08MRR1
14910
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
current charted boundaries or altitudes
or ATC procedures for the Houston
Class B airspace area.
DATES: Effective date: April 8, 2013. The
Director of the Federal Register
approves this incorporation by reference
action under 1 CFR part 51, subject to
the annual revision of FAA Order
7400.9 and publication of conforming
amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy and ATC
Procedures Group, Office of Mission
Airspace Services, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267–8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In 1973, the FAA issued a final rule
(38 FR 31286, November 13, 1973)
which established the Houston
Terminal Control Area (TCA), with an
effective date of March 28, 1974. The
Houston TCA listed the Houston
Intercontinental Airport (later renamed
the George Bush Intercontinental
Airport) as the primary airport. In 1987,
to further reduce the risk of midair
collision in the Houston terminal areas
and promote the efficient control of air
traffic, the FAA issued a final rule (52
FR 1418, January 13, 1987) which
established the William P. Hobby
Airport, Airport Radar Service Area
(ARSA) next to and under the existing
Houston TCA airspace. Then, in 1992,
to better accommodate current traffic
flows and provide a greater degree of
safety in known areas of congestion
involving controlled IFR and
uncontrolled VFR operations, the FAA
issued a final rule (57 FR 30818, July 10,
1992) and a final rule; correction (57 FR
40095, September 2, 1992) which
amended the Houston TCA
configuration, listed two primary
airports (Houston Intercontinental
Airport and William P. Hobby Airport)
in the Houston TCA description, and
rescinded the William P. Hobby Airport
ARSA concurrently. As a result of the
Airspace Reclassification final rule (56
FR 65638, December 17, 1991), which
became effective on September 16, 1993,
the term ‘‘terminal control area’’ was
replaced by ‘‘Class B airspace area.’’
In 1998, the FAA issued a final rule
(63 FR 4162, January 28, 1998) further
amending the Houston Class B airspace
area to enhance safety, reduce the
potential for midair collision, and better
manage the air traffic operations into,
out of, and through Houston Class B
airspace. However, the airport reference
for describing William P. Hobby Airport
in the Class B airspace header was
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:06 Mar 07, 2013
Jkt 229001
inadvertently changed from ‘‘Primary
Airport’’ to ‘‘Secondary Airport.’’ The
unintended consequence of this
inadvertent change has led to questions
and concerns regarding the 30-nautical
mile (NM) Mode C veil that is charted
around the Houston terminal airspace
area, as well as why William P. Hobby
Airport is listed as a secondary airport
and what that means. The charted
depiction of the Mode C veil
surrounding the George Bush
Intercontinental Airport and William P.
Hobby Airport is correct with no change
to the existing charted boundaries.
Additionally, the FAA does not define
what a secondary airport is, nor is that
description used to identify airports in
any other Class B or Class C airspace
areas.
The FAA is changing the airport
reference for William P. Hobby Airport
in the Houston Class B airspace header
to ‘‘Primary Airport,’’ reflecting the
FAA’s original intent for the Houston
Class B airspace area to encompass two
primary airports, George Bush
Intercontinental Airport and William P.
Hobby Airport, as specified in the final
rule (57 FR 30818, July 10, 1992) and
final rule; correction (57 FR 40095,
September 2, 1992). Additionally, the
FAA plans to add the William P. Hobby
Airport to the list of airports identified
in Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations, Part 91, Appendix D,
Section 1, in a separate rulemaking
action.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14 Code
of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 71
by editing the Houston, TX, Class B
airspace description changing the
airport reference for William P. Hobby
Airport listed in the header from
‘‘Secondary Airport’’ to ‘‘Primary
Airport.’’ This editorial change does not
alter the currently charted boundaries or
altitudes or ATC procedures for the
Houston Class B airspace area. The FAA
is taking this action to correctly describe
the primary airports listed in the
Houston Class B airspace area, resolve
issues associated with William P. Hobby
Airport having been described as a
‘‘Secondary Airport,’’ and reaffirms the
currently charted boundary of the Mode
C veil around the Houston terminal
airspace area is correct, as originally
intended by the FAA.
Class B airspace areas are published
in paragraph 3000 of FAA Order
7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and
effective September 15, 2012, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR
71.1. The Class B airspace area listed in
this document will be published
subsequently in the Order.
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
Because the amendment does not
affect the boundaries, designated
altitudes, or activities conducted within
the Class B airspace area, Houston, TX,
I find that notice and public procedures
under 5 U.S.C. 553(b) are unnecessary.
The FAA has determined that this
regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which
frequent and routine amendments are
necessary to keep them operationally
current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is
not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not
a ‘‘significant rule’’ under Department of
Transportation (DOT) Regulatory
Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11034;
February 26, 1979); and (3) does not
warrant preparation of a regulatory
evaluation as the anticipated impact is
so minimal. Since this is a routine
matter that will only affect air traffic
procedures and air navigation, it is
certified that this rule, when
promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA’s authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety is found in
Title 49 of the United States Code.
Subtitle I, Section 106 describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator.
Subtitle VII, Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the
agency’s authority.
This rulemaking is promulgated
under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section
40103. Under that section, the FAA is
charged with prescribing regulations to
assign the use of the airspace necessary
to ensure the safety of aircraft and the
efficient use of airspace. This regulation
is within the scope of that authority as
it makes editorial corrections to an
existing Class B airspace description to
maintain accuracy.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this
action qualifies for categorical exclusion
under the National Environmental
Policy Act in accordance with 311a,
FAA Order 1050.1E, ‘‘Environmental
Impacts: Policies and Procedures.’’ This
airspace action is an editorial change
only and is not expected to cause any
potentially significant environmental
impacts, and no extraordinary
circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental
assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (air).
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
08MRR1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 46 / Friday, March 8, 2013 / Rules and Regulations
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
part 71 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,
40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–
1963 Comp., p. 389.
§ 71.1
[Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in
14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9W,
Airspace Designations and Reporting
Points, signed August 8, 2012, and
effective September 15, 2012, is
amended as follows:
■
Paragraph 3000 Subpart B—Class B Airspace
*
*
*
*
*
ASW TX B Houston, TX [Amended]
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
(Primary Airport)
(Lat. 29°59′04″ N., long. 95°20′29″ W.)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) (Primary
Airport)
(Lat. 29°38′44″ N., long. 95°16′44″ W.)
Ellington Field (EFD)
(Lat. 29°36′26″ N., long. 95°09′32″ W.)
Humble VORTAC (IAH)
(Lat. 29°57′25″ N., long. 95°20′45″ W.)
Point of Origin
(Lat. 29°39′01″ N., long. 95°16′45″ W.)
Boundaries
*
*
*
*
*
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21,
2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC
Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013–04891 Filed 3–7–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA–2012–0655; Airspace
Docket No. 12–AGL–6]
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Amendment of Class E Airspace; Hot
Springs, SD
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: This action amends Class E
airspace at Hot Springs, SD. Additional
controlled airspace is necessary to
VerDate Mar<15>2010
16:06 Mar 07, 2013
Jkt 229001
accommodate new Area Navigation
(RNAV) Standard Instrument Approach
Procedures at Hot Springs Municipal
Airport. The FAA is taking this action
to enhance the safety and management
of Instrument Flight Rule (IFR)
operations at the airport. Geographic
coordinates of the airport are also
updated.
DATES: Effective date: 0901 UTC, June
27, 2013. The Director of the Federal
Register approves this incorporation by
reference action under 1 CFR Part 51,
subject to the annual revision of FAA
Order 7400.9 and publication of
conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Scott Enander, Central Service Center,
Operations Support Group, Federal
Aviation Administration, Southwest
Region, 2601 Meacham Blvd., Fort
Worth, TX 76137; telephone 817–321–
7716.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
History
On November 16, 2012, the FAA
published in the Federal Register a
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
to amend Class E airspace for the Hot
Springs, SD, area, creating additional
controlled airspace at Hot Springs
Municipal Airport (77 FR 68716) Docket
No. FAA–2012–0655. Interested parties
were invited to participate in this
rulemaking effort by submitting written
comments on the proposal to the FAA.
No comments were received. Class E
airspace designations are published in
paragraph 6005 of FAA Order 7400.9W
dated August 8, 2012, and effective
September 15, 2012, which is
incorporated by reference in 14 CFR
part 71.1. The Class E airspace
designations listed in this document
will be published subsequently in the
Order.
The Rule
This action amends Title 14 Code of
Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 71 by
amending Class E airspace extending
upward from 700 feet above the surface
to the north of the airport to
accommodate new standard instrument
approach procedures at Hot Springs
Municipal Airport, Hot Springs, SD.
This action is necessary for the safety
and management of IFR operations at
the airport. Geographic coordinates of
the airport are updated to coincide with
the FAA’s aeronautical database.
The FAA has determined that this
regulation only involves an established
body of technical regulations for which
frequent and routine amendments are
necessary to keep them operationally
current. Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
14911
not a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’
under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not
a ‘‘significant rule’’ under DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44
FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3)
does not warrant preparation of a
regulatory evaluation as the anticipated
impact is so minimal. Since this is a
routine matter that will only affect air
traffic procedures and air navigation, it
is certified that this rule, when
promulgated, will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities under the
criteria of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA’s authority to issue rules
regarding aviation safety is found in
Title 49 of the U.S. Code. Subtitle 1,
Section 106, describes the authority of
the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more
detail the scope of the agency’s
authority. This rulemaking is
promulgated under the authority
described in Subtitle VII, Part A,
Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that
section, the FAA is charged with
prescribing regulations to assign the use
of airspace necessary to ensure the
safety of aircraft and the efficient use of
airspace. This regulation is within the
scope of that authority as it amends
controlled airspace at Hot Springs
Municipal Airport, Hot Springs, SD.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this
action qualifies for categorical exclusion
under the National Environmental
Policy Act in accordance with FAA
Order 1050.1E, ‘‘Environmental
Impacts: Policies and Procedures,’’
paragraph 311a. This airspace action is
not expected to cause any potentially
significant environmental impacts, and
no extraordinary circumstances exist
that warrant preparation of an
environmental assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (Air)
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
amends 14 CFR Part 71 as follows:
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
REPORTING POINTS
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
Part 71 continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113,
40120; E. O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959–
1963 Comp., p. 389.
E:\FR\FM\08MRR1.SGM
08MRR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14909-14911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04891]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 71
[Docket No. FAA-2013-0079; Airspace Docket No. 13-AWA-1]
RIN 2120-AA66
Amendment of Class B Airspace Description; Houston, TX
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Final rule, technical amendment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This action amends the description of the Houston, TX, Class B
airspace area by changing the airport reference for describing the
William P. Hobby Airport in the Class B airspace header from
``Secondary Airport'' to ``Primary Airport.'' This change is editorial
only and does not alter the
[[Page 14910]]
current charted boundaries or altitudes or ATC procedures for the
Houston Class B airspace area.
DATES: Effective date: April 8, 2013. The Director of the Federal
Register approves this incorporation by reference action under 1 CFR
part 51, subject to the annual revision of FAA Order 7400.9 and
publication of conforming amendments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Colby Abbott, Airspace Policy and ATC
Procedures Group, Office of Mission Airspace Services, Federal Aviation
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591;
telephone: (202) 267-8783.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
In 1973, the FAA issued a final rule (38 FR 31286, November 13,
1973) which established the Houston Terminal Control Area (TCA), with
an effective date of March 28, 1974. The Houston TCA listed the Houston
Intercontinental Airport (later renamed the George Bush
Intercontinental Airport) as the primary airport. In 1987, to further
reduce the risk of midair collision in the Houston terminal areas and
promote the efficient control of air traffic, the FAA issued a final
rule (52 FR 1418, January 13, 1987) which established the William P.
Hobby Airport, Airport Radar Service Area (ARSA) next to and under the
existing Houston TCA airspace. Then, in 1992, to better accommodate
current traffic flows and provide a greater degree of safety in known
areas of congestion involving controlled IFR and uncontrolled VFR
operations, the FAA issued a final rule (57 FR 30818, July 10, 1992)
and a final rule; correction (57 FR 40095, September 2, 1992) which
amended the Houston TCA configuration, listed two primary airports
(Houston Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport) in the
Houston TCA description, and rescinded the William P. Hobby Airport
ARSA concurrently. As a result of the Airspace Reclassification final
rule (56 FR 65638, December 17, 1991), which became effective on
September 16, 1993, the term ``terminal control area'' was replaced by
``Class B airspace area.''
In 1998, the FAA issued a final rule (63 FR 4162, January 28, 1998)
further amending the Houston Class B airspace area to enhance safety,
reduce the potential for midair collision, and better manage the air
traffic operations into, out of, and through Houston Class B airspace.
However, the airport reference for describing William P. Hobby Airport
in the Class B airspace header was inadvertently changed from ``Primary
Airport'' to ``Secondary Airport.'' The unintended consequence of this
inadvertent change has led to questions and concerns regarding the 30-
nautical mile (NM) Mode C veil that is charted around the Houston
terminal airspace area, as well as why William P. Hobby Airport is
listed as a secondary airport and what that means. The charted
depiction of the Mode C veil surrounding the George Bush
Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport is correct with
no change to the existing charted boundaries. Additionally, the FAA
does not define what a secondary airport is, nor is that description
used to identify airports in any other Class B or Class C airspace
areas.
The FAA is changing the airport reference for William P. Hobby
Airport in the Houston Class B airspace header to ``Primary Airport,''
reflecting the FAA's original intent for the Houston Class B airspace
area to encompass two primary airports, George Bush Intercontinental
Airport and William P. Hobby Airport, as specified in the final rule
(57 FR 30818, July 10, 1992) and final rule; correction (57 FR 40095,
September 2, 1992). Additionally, the FAA plans to add the William P.
Hobby Airport to the list of airports identified in Title 14 of the
Code of Federal Regulations, Part 91, Appendix D, Section 1, in a
separate rulemaking action.
The Rule
The FAA is amending Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 71 by editing the Houston, TX, Class B airspace description
changing the airport reference for William P. Hobby Airport listed in
the header from ``Secondary Airport'' to ``Primary Airport.'' This
editorial change does not alter the currently charted boundaries or
altitudes or ATC procedures for the Houston Class B airspace area. The
FAA is taking this action to correctly describe the primary airports
listed in the Houston Class B airspace area, resolve issues associated
with William P. Hobby Airport having been described as a ``Secondary
Airport,'' and reaffirms the currently charted boundary of the Mode C
veil around the Houston terminal airspace area is correct, as
originally intended by the FAA.
Class B airspace areas are published in paragraph 3000 of FAA Order
7400.9W dated August 8, 2012, and effective September 15, 2012, which
is incorporated by reference in 14 CFR 71.1. The Class B airspace area
listed in this document will be published subsequently in the Order.
Because the amendment does not affect the boundaries, designated
altitudes, or activities conducted within the Class B airspace area,
Houston, TX, I find that notice and public procedures under 5 U.S.C.
553(b) are unnecessary.
The FAA has determined that this regulation only involves an
established body of technical regulations for which frequent and
routine amendments are necessary to keep them operationally current.
Therefore, this regulation: (1) Is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under Executive Order 12866; (2) is not a ``significant rule''
under Department of Transportation (DOT) Regulatory Policies and
Procedures (44 FR 11034; February 26, 1979); and (3) does not warrant
preparation of a regulatory evaluation as the anticipated impact is so
minimal. Since this is a routine matter that will only affect air
traffic procedures and air navigation, it is certified that this rule,
when promulgated, will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities under the criteria of the
Regulatory Flexibility Act.
The FAA's authority to issue rules regarding aviation safety is
found in Title 49 of the United States Code. Subtitle I, Section 106
describes the authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII,
Aviation Programs, describes in more detail the scope of the agency's
authority.
This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart I, Section 40103. Under that section, the
FAA is charged with prescribing regulations to assign the use of the
airspace necessary to ensure the safety of aircraft and the efficient
use of airspace. This regulation is within the scope of that authority
as it makes editorial corrections to an existing Class B airspace
description to maintain accuracy.
Environmental Review
The FAA has determined that this action qualifies for categorical
exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act in accordance
with 311a, FAA Order 1050.1E, ``Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures.'' This airspace action is an editorial change only and is
not expected to cause any potentially significant environmental
impacts, and no extraordinary circumstances exist that warrant
preparation of an environmental assessment.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
Airspace, Incorporation by reference, Navigation (air).
[[Page 14911]]
Adoption of the Amendment
In consideration of the foregoing, the Federal Aviation
Administration amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
PART 71--DESIGNATION OF CLASS A, B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND REPORTING POINTS
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1. The authority citation for 14 CFR part 71 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40103, 40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24
FR 9565, 3 CFR, 1959-1963 Comp., p. 389.
Sec. 71.1 [Amended]
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2. The incorporation by reference in 14 CFR 71.1 of FAA Order 7400.9W,
Airspace Designations and Reporting Points, signed August 8, 2012, and
effective September 15, 2012, is amended as follows:
Paragraph 3000 Subpart B--Class B Airspace
* * * * *
ASW TX B Houston, TX [Amended]
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) (Primary Airport)
(Lat. 29[deg]59[min]04[sec] N., long. 95[deg]20[min]29[sec] W.)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) (Primary Airport)
(Lat. 29[deg]38[min]44[sec] N., long. 95[deg]16[min]44[sec] W.)
Ellington Field (EFD)
(Lat. 29[deg]36[min]26[sec] N., long. 95[deg]09[min]32[sec] W.)
Humble VORTAC (IAH)
(Lat. 29[deg]57[min]25[sec] N., long. 95[deg]20[min]45[sec] W.)
Point of Origin
(Lat. 29[deg]39[min]01[sec] N., long. 95[deg]16[min]45[sec] W.)
Boundaries
* * * * *
Issued in Washington, DC, on February 21, 2013.
Gary A. Norek,
Manager, Airspace Policy and ATC Procedures Group.
[FR Doc. 2013-04891 Filed 3-7-13; 8:45 am]
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